After arriving at the Academy, Doran went straight to the administrative center to give his report of the mission he had taken. Right there, twenty points were assigned to his essence token which now read 276 merit points. The twenty points was the fixed reward for undergoing a level three mission, regardless of the outcome.

Merit point was the exclusive currency in Florin Valley Academy, as an outer court disciple, he wasn't entitled to special privileges, meaning he had to earn merit points with his own efforts. Doran who was currently in need of training manuals, couldn't help but lament once more on his misfortune, if the mission had been successful, he would have earned himself five hundred merit points. The price of training manuals and essence crystals was on the high side.

Training manuals contained detailed teaching of a specific sword Dao technique, and they were divided into low-grade, medium-grade, high-grade, and transcendent-grade. Only low-grade and medium-grade training manuals were found in Florin Valley. The low-grade training manuals could be bought with merit points, while the medium-grade training manuals were exclusively for inner court or direct disciples.

An essence crystal was a condensed form of origin energy, which was used alongside training manuals for cultivation. It helped to improve one's constitution and also to accumulate sword energy.

Doran left for his residence, As he passed by the training grounds, he could see a group of outer core disciples engaged in combat training. Doran had a bad premonition as he sighted a certain someone, who appeared to be training diligently.

'Ian Wrighte? When did that lazy pig start training so hard?'

Just then, Ian Wrighte who also noticed Doran's presence stopped his training and hurried towards him beaming with smiles like he had been expecting his arrival.

"I see, you managed to come back safely. How was the mission? Did you get all five hundred points?"

Doran frowned at his question. News traveled fast in Florin Valley, it was obvious that Ian Wrighte knew he didn't succeed in the mission and was just acting with sarcasm.

"Why ask when you already know? I have something urgent to do now, so I won't waste my time listening to your nonsense" Doran said as he turned around to take his leave.

Just then, Ian Wrighte made an unexpected declaration:

"Next Outer court assessment … If you can gain an official number before I do, I'll give you one thousand merit points"

Only the top 200 in the rankings were qualified for an official number, Doran was currently ranked in the upper middle of the outer court, of course, this was a commendable feat, considering he was only fifteen, as for his situation, it was also quite disappointing because he had been stuck at the second stage of Beginner level swordsmanship.

Swordsmanship had three major stages, which were Beginner, Intermediate, and Xianji. The Beginner stage was also divided into three phases, the Novice Skill Acquisition Stage, the Advanced Skill Acquisition Stage, and the Essence Gathering Stage. The Essence Gathering Stage was known as the stage of sword energy manifestation, this was the stage where a person would produce a little amount of sword energy during a fight.

Doran couldn't break through to the Essence Gathering Stage, because he wasn't able to absorb essence crystals, this was enough proof that despite being gifted with unrivaled sword talent, he was destined to remain a beginner level swordsman for the rest of his life.

Ian Wrighte who was three years older than Doran was also at the Advanced Skill Acquisition Stage and in the upper middle of the Outer Court rankings. Although his fighting skills paled in comparison to Doran's, he had already shown signs of generating sword energy, which indicates he could be promoted to the Essence Gathering stage any time soon.

"Oh? I didn't know you had such abundance of merit points that you could be so generous to gift me so much" Doran said as he had a look of suspicion.

"Hehe, why would I do something as stupid as giving you all my accumulated merit point for free?... Of course, there's a stake"

"What?"

Ian Wrighte grinned lightly and said:

"You will give me the Essence Energy Utilization Manual if you lose"

Doran had his face tainted with disgust, although the Essence Energy Utilization Manual wasn't worth as much as One thousand merit points, it was a manual that was created by the patriarch himself, he had obtained it as a reward in a talent fair.

Ian Whrite was known for his numerous deceptions and schemes, he had an honorable appearance, which gave others a good impression of him, however, he would make a seemingly unfavorable deal, and in the end, he only would turn out with the benefits. At some point in time, Doran had somehow found himself engaged in a heated argument with him, For the possession of the Essence Energy Utilization Manual. Ian Wrighte gave a generous offer for the manual, only to be refused.

He glared coldly at Ian Wrighte and said:

" I can see… You haven't given up the hope of obtaining the manual. Will you die if you don't act elusively for a single day?"

"How am I acting elusively? It's clearly a fair bet. If you aren't confident in yourself, it means you're not qualified to possess it. After all, you can't absorb essence crystals, just how do you expect to break through to the essence gathering stage?" Ian Wrighte said with a mocking tone.

Those words were liking to thorns, piercing Doran in his sore spot. Although he wasn't able to absorb essence crystals, he never stopped trying. He always bought a lot of essence crystals and used them whenever he was cultivating any sword technique.

Doran glared at him with a cold gaze and said:

"And why would I accept such a bet? Do you think I lack merit points?"

"Don't make me laugh, I know you're currently in need of merit points to buy more essence crystals. You see… I can't sit back and watch the Essence Energy Utilization Manual go to waste in the hands of a trash like you, that's why I'm doing my best to obtain it. You better consider my offer, one thousand merit points will go a long way towards helping you get the source crystals, of course, that's if you win."

Doran gave it a little thought before speaking:

"The title of legendary schemer wasn't for naught, you truly live up to your name. I congratulate you for provoking me, right now I'm left with no choice, but to accept the bet"

Doran wasn't only driven by the temptation of obtaining more merit points, he also couldn't stand the fact that he was being ridiculed by an actual trash. Only on this ground, would he dare to make a bet with a legendary schemer.